Rs. 300,000 fine on three Matara outlets for selling rice above MRP

Colombo, May 6 (Daily Mirror) - Three retail outlets in the Matara District have been fined a total of Rs. 300,000 for selling rice above the government-mandated Maximum Retail Price (MRP), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

The fines were imposed today 6) by the Matara Magistrate’s Court following raids carried out by officers attached to the CAA’s Matara District Office.

Each outlet was fined Rs. 100,000 after being found guilty of overpricing rice varieties in violation of existing price controls.

According to the CAA, a shop in Palatuwa had sold local Keeri Samba rice at around Rs. 340 per kilogram, exceeding the stipulated price of Rs. 260. Another shop in Walgama was found selling local White Nadu rice at Rs. 240 per kilogram, above the approved price of Rs. 230.

Meanwhile, a shop in Maliduwa, Akuressa, had sold imported Keeri Ponni rice at Rs. 380 per kilogram, significantly higher than the controlled price of Rs. 255.

The CAA said continuous raids are being conducted islandwide to curb unfair trade practices and warned that strict legal action will be taken against traders who exploit consumers by violating price regulations.